The Musician's Way Blog

“For music and service to become your way of life,
you must confront economic realities.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 299

Aspiring classical musicians commonly study in a context resembling the ancient “master-apprentice” model.

That is, they take lessons from one individual over a span of years and depend on that person to cultivate their artistic, technical, and career skills.

Does that educational arrangement make sense? Continue Reading

“Meaning is what matters most in your day-to-day practice.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 312

Might there exist people who devote themselves to music solely for material gain?

I doubt it.

Rather, it’s the psychic income that we derive from our work that we most prize.

Continue Reading

Arts entrepreneurship isn’t a slice of the educational pie – it’s the pan.

I hope that lead-off sentence strikes a chord with you as it does with me.

I adapted it from a statement attributed to Andrew Rasiej (“Innovation is not a slice of the pie – it’s the pan”).

Here are 3 reasons why I find those words and entrepreneurship education so compelling. Continue Reading

“Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference.”
–Benjamin Zander, conductor (The Musician’s Way, p. 305)

One of the most powerful ways that we can make a difference in life is to do creative work.

Still, unless we choose our aims wisely, we can feel overwhelmed or undermotivated, and then we won’t create.

How can we discern goals that impel us to act? Continue Reading

“The ease of your entry into the music profession will largely depend
on the doors you open while you’re a student.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 305

If you’re studying music with the intention of becoming a professional, then, to succeed after graduating from a conservatory or university, you need to do more than excel artistically and academically.

Here are 5 career-building maneuvers to undertake throughout your education. Continue Reading

“To achieve your musical potential, you have to commit to the creative process, take risks, and follow your heart.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 112

To gain a deeper understanding of something, it often helps to consider its opposite.

So, in the interest of helping you boost your creativity, here’s a list of ways to squash it. Enjoy! Continue Reading

“I get an audience involved because I’m involved myself. If the song is a lament at the loss of love, I get an ache in my gut. . . . I cry out the loneliness.”
–Frank Sinatra, singer (The Musician’s Way, p. 188)

Some concerts provoke such deep feelings that audiences remember them for years.

How can we musicians put on unforgettable shows night after night? Continue Reading

“The road to improvement is paved with evaluations.”
The Musician’s Way, p. 296

Whatever our level of artistic development, we’re always aiming to grow.

And one of the primary ways that we advance is through critiques – especially from colleagues and mentors. Continue Reading

“Creativity arises out of the tension
between spontaneity and limitations.”
–Rollo May, The Courage to Create, p. 115

I’ll bet that nearly all of us could be more creative than we are.

Why don’t we create abundantly?

One reason is that we often flee from the friction that arises during the creative process. Continue Reading

“The most important practice session of the week isn’t the one right before your lesson; it’s the one right after.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 296

As lessons or performances approach, many music students ramp up their practice time; then, afterward, they ease off.

I think that’s backwards. Continue Reading